Page 29 of Freed Wolfsbane

I don’t know how long I sit on Malachi’s lap before my tears dry up and I finally feel able to pull myself together. While all of it still hurts, it hurts a tiny bit less. Somehow, that little bit of lightness from Saint’s words and my mates’ comfort makes it all easier to bear.

When I’m sure my voice will stay steady, I lift my head off Malachi’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for falling apart.”

Bastian captures my chin between his thumb and fingers when I swing my gaze to him. “Stop apologizing for shit that’s not your fault, pretty girl. It’s okay to cry or scream or break apart. It’s okay to let out your emotions, and it’s so much more than okay to do that all in front of us. We’re your mates. We’re here for you, through everything. We want all of it, not just when things are good and easy but also when it’s hard and you don’t think you can go on.”

I give him a watery smile at his heartfelt words. “You’re really sweet, you know that?”

Bastian barks out a laugh. “Only for you, sweet girl. Only for you.”

For a few moments longer, I soak in my mates’ comfort. Eventually, I pull back and stare up at Malachi. It’s too easy to get lost in his deep blue eyes that always swirl with his emotions around me. Shaking my head at myself, I ask, “What are we going to do about Ryker?”

“We’ll figure it out, baby girl, but you need to rest first. You’re not going to be able to stop him until you heal up.”

I narrow my eyes at Malachi for making a good point that I can’t really argue with. The last thing my mind wants to do is laze around, but my body already feels drained from everything. Reluctantly, I nod.

He gives me a big smile as he lifts me up and knee walks to get off the bed. I’m impressed that he’s able to clamber off the mattress and out of our puppy pile while still holding me. Malachi takes me over to the dresser and gives me a set of fresh, non-bloody clothes to change into.

I start heading to the bathroom to change and freshen up a bit before going back to sleep. Malachi moves to pick me up again, but I pin him with a glare. “I can walk to the freaking bathroom on my own, Malachi Wyldhart.”

He grinds his teeth but doesn’t make a move to stop me. After I’ve changed and brushed my teeth, I hobble back to the bed to see Malachi and Xander already under the covers. Saint and Bastian are standing to the side in their boxers and tees waiting for me to get in. Carefully climbing in and making sure not to strain my stitches, I settle in facing away from Malachi who spoons me. Saint lies down on my other side with Bastian behind him. Safe and sound between my mates, I drift off into a hopefully dreamless sleep.

* * *

“Rosie!”a way too cheery voice calls, startling me from a deep sleep.

I bolt upright at the sound and then immediately regret my life choices as pain zings through my stomach. It only takes me a moment to realize the voice came from Ava, who’s currently hurtling toward me. As she nears the bed, I close my eyes and brace myself for a collision that doesn’t come.

When I peek open my eyes, I see Ava standing at the foot of the bed with her arms crossed and her eyebrows raised at me. “Did you really think I would jump on you when you’re hurt, Rosie? I’m thirteen, not three.”

I snort at her exasperation. “You’re right, how silly of me. You’re practically an adult,” I tease. Glancing behind Ava, I see Aunt Abbie watching us with a soft smile on her face. I give her a small one in return.

Ava puffs up her chest and gives me a haughty look, her hazel eyes sparkling with amusement. “I know you’re making fun of me. I’m gonna choose to ignore that and pretend you agree with me.”

While Ava and I are talking, Bastian and Saint roll out of bed and Malachi and Xander remain where they are. Bastian and Saint hastily grab their jeans discarded on the floor and pull them on. Saint heads off to the bathroom while Bastian walks over to give his mom a hug and speak quietly with her.

Now that it’s clear, Ava rushes around the bed and crawls over the covers so that she’s lying right next to me. I wrap my arms around her and bury my face in her strawberry blonde hair that’s so like our mom’s. “I missed you, Bun Bun.”

Holding her like this brings up the bittersweet memories of how much I used to do this. She rarely spent a night in her own room at Patrick’s house. Now that we’re not living there anymore, neither of us need the comfort as much. I miss getting the chance to hold her as often, though.

Ava’s slight frame trembles in my arms as she clutches at the back of my shirt. “I missed you too, Rosie. I wasn’t sure if you were ever coming home,” she admits in a small voice.

I reflexively squeeze her tighter to try to reassure her, forgetting that my stomach is currently being held together with suture thread and hopes and dreams. Wincing, I loosen my hold and try to figure out what to say to make her feel better. “You can’t get rid of me that easily,” I try to joke to lighten the mood.

Pulling back, Ava rolls her eyes at me and a hint of a smile plays around her lips. She shakes her head at me before sobering. “Are you okay?”

“Yep. I’m pretty much good as new.” I try to keep my tone light to distract from the fact that I’m definitely not even close to being fully healed. Malachi scoffs behind me, but I ignore him to give Ava a bright smile.

She looks at me skeptically before shrugging and laying her head back on my shoulder. I run my fingers through her hair as I enjoy having my little sister here with me, safe and whole.

“I’m so glad you’re home, honey,” Abbie tells me, her voice filled with sincerity. “If you’re feeling better, they could use your help with going over some of the post-mission details.”

“She doesn’t feel well enough to go.” Malachi’s tone brooks no argument.

I grind my teeth at Malachi being bossy as usual and answering for me. “She was asking me,notyou, Malachi. And I do feel up to going, for your information,” I grumble. I am actually feeling better. I’m not sure how long I slept, but I feel stronger and less worn out. My abdomen also doesn’t feel like someone’s shoving a live wire in it, so I’m fairly confident I’m on the mend.

“We talked about this, Briar,” Malachi growls. “You need to fucking rest and heal. You’ve already torn your stitches once today. I amnotletting that happen again.”

I scrub the hand not playing with Ava’s hair over my face as I try to find the patience to deal with him. “I know you’re worried about me, but that doesn’t give you license to control me. If you had asked, you’d know that I’m feeling a lot better after sleeping. I’m already starting to go stir-crazy and could use a bit of distraction. All I’m saying I want to do is walk down to the dining room and sit in a chair, not run a marathon or hunt down Ryker.”

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